The schemes for inclusion in the Draft 7th Plan of the North Eastern Council for Meghalaya were discussed at a high level meeting held here on July 23 at the NEC Secretariat.
The meeting besides reviewing the performance of the NEC Plan implemented in Megbalaya during 1983-84 also took into consideration the merits of spilling over about a dozen of on-going schemee to the Seventh Plan and made recommendations regarding inclusion of a shelf of new schemes in the Seventh Plan.
Several new schemes under N.E.C. Plan in different sectors including Transport and Communication, Agriculture and Allied Activities, Mineral Development, Sericulture and Manpower Development have been implemented in Meghalaya with an approved outlay of Rs.21.00 crore. The current year’s outlay for Meghalaya is Rs.705 crore (1984-85) while the amount released for 1983-84 was Rs.3.32 crore.
Presiding over meeting the Secretary of the North Eastern Council, Mr P.H. Trivedi explained the necessity of holding such discussion with individual Units of the North Eastern Region in order to reflect correctly the regional character of the NEC schemes besides enlisting the greater involvement of the Constitueut Units in respect of the various schemes implemented all aver the region. Referring to the various schemes which have been already sanctioned, Mr Trivedi stressed the need for completing the old schemes as far as possible during the Sixth Plan itself.
The decision regarding the rope way could be taken after the finalisation of the decision regarding the setting up of the Cement factories. Regarding the schemes for which setails are not yet ready, Mr Trivedi disclosed that such schemes could be included in the Draft Seventh Plan, after the NEC Experts and the State officials of Meghalaya make a joint study and submit the report within the stipulated time. Mr V. Ramakrishnan, Development Commissioner, Meghalaya who led the team of Meghalaya official explained the justification of including of the ongoing schemes as spill over schemes in the Seventh Plan. He also mentioned about the necessity of provision for maintenance of completed NEC schemes left uncovered by 8th Finance Commission. He also pleaded for inclusion of a few new schemes like Science and Technology, Planetorium and Telescope. Referring to the Inadequate postal and telecommunication facilities in Meghalaya, Ramakrishna pleaded for extension of Te1ephone facilities to every Block Headquarters.